Labyrinth is a peculiar anime film, one that is partially successful but often struggles to coalesce. It begins with a premise that feels somewhat reminiscent of Fight Club, but for a new generation: a focus on teenage girls and their journey of self-discovery. However, this familiar-feeling setup quickly pivots into something else entirely.
A Modern, Moralising Isekai
The plot takes a sharp turn into territory that feels like a Creepypasta or an SCP Foundation entry. One of the two friends falls not through a looking glass, but through the cracked screen of her smartphone, transporting her to a strange new world.
This “alternative isekai” setup serves as a vehicle for the film’s core message. From this point, Labyrinth layers its morals on very thickly. It presents a heavy-handed lesson on the dangers of social media, the seductive power of online ‘likes’, and how these pale in comparison to real-world connections like friendship, family, and even judo practice.
An Atom-Smash of Ideas
The film’s pacing is as unpredictable as its content. It will linger in a mysterious, X-Files-like prestige mode for a stretch, only to suddenly ramp up and change tone completely. Labyrinth throws an enormous number of disparate elements at the screen.
This mashup includes everything from giant robots fighting (and that is simplifying matters) all the way to repeated musical numbers with cheering crowds. It is a film that attempts to play on the emotional heartstrings like a harp, but the sheer volume of ideas can be overwhelming.
A Relentless Discovery
This chaotic mix of styles does not always work. However, Labyrinth comes at the audience with such force and repetitive insistence, piling plot discovery upon plot discovery, that you are rarely given a moment to reflect on whether it is all holding together. Just as you begin to feel you have been here before, the film moves on.
It is a “passing grade” of a movie. While perhaps not something to get out of bed early for, the spectacle might be worth seeing on the big screen. If you are a dedicated fan of alternative isekai, Labyrinth might be a recommendation. For most, there are likely better options available.
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